We refer to taking decisions at every moment of our life. The question that arises is what is the actual definition of decision making as well as what cognitive processes lead one to take decisions in various circumstances? Decision making can be defined as the cognitive process of selecting between available alternatives or choices and take the steps that would prove to be the best in the specific circumstances. Decision making involves four factors namely Process, Options, Choices and Actions.

The very first factor involved in the definition of decision making is Process. Needless to say, decision making encompasses multiple processes such as thinking, memory, evaluation and making your mind up to take action. The definition may also involve intuitive feelings or rational thought processes, both of which aid in making sound decisions. The second important criterion in the definition is Options and taking decisions without adequate options at bay may not prove to be very fruitful and apt. Hence, before jumping on to take any decision, consider your present position and where you want to be and then look at the multitudes of ways to reach there.

The next crucial factor in the definition of decision making is Choices that are more often than not quite flustering and bewildering to make. Choices inevitably are restricted by several constraints and obstacles which make the process of making a particular choice all the more difficult. For instance, the priorities of our life may at times come into conflict with the demands of the company we work with and in such cases we often have to compromise between the ideal thing that we really want and the decision that we are bound to take.

Lastly, the actions that are to be implemented after much considerations and deliberations form the concluding step to the definition. It is extremely important that the decisions taken are finally executed through actions, without which no decision making process can be complete. One needs to consider the consequences which can have both positive and negative effects and hence an action should be planned, curtailing the adverse effects and concentrating on the optimistic ones. Other concepts include knowledge, value, goals and preferences.

You have chosen the noble profession of walking the path of social work. You find gratitude in alleviating the unprecedented sorrows and miseries of society and to improving their quality of life financially, physically, and psychologically. However, the road to social work is not a bed of roses. It is rife with dilemmas and difficulties which necessitate flustering ethical decision making on your part. There may be circumstances when you might feel baffled at making a decision that would be truly ethical, as social work automatically takes for granted the fact that you will be following an ethical attitude every moment. More..